CRAFTASTIC: Easy DIY Father's Day Artwork

Psssst!  Father's Day is just a month away.  Have you started thinking about gifts yet?  Yeah, me either.  So I thought I'd share a simple craft project  idea I made last year that was a huge hit with the hubster in case you want to make one too:

I'm sure you've seen similar ideas out there but this is an easy and inexpensive gift that dads and grandfathers will cherish.  Here's how I made mine:

1.  I took a series of pictures of Gabrielle and Alaina holding a blank piece of poster board.  (I knew there was no way to get two one-year-old to sit nicely together holding a letter!)

2.  I picked the four shots I liked best and added the letters and punctuation onto the blank poster board using Photoshop.  If you don't have Photoshop, you can achieve the same effect by using Picnik, which is free.

3.  I printed out the photos, arranged them in a four-windowed frame (I wanted both girls in there twice, hence the exclamation point) and wrapped it up!

My husband loved his gift (and so did my dad who got his own version which is a benefit of using the blank poster board - you can switch up the letters easily) and immediately hung it in his office.  I've decided to do another one this year so eventually we'll have a Dad's Day gallery to look back on.

Here are a few twists on the same idea:

From Brassy Apple

 

Via Brassy Apple

From Giggling Stamper

From Twinkle Toes

From Smashed Peas & Carrots

Stay tuned for more fun DIY Father's Day gift ideas this week and if you have a link to something you made to celebrate dad, be sure to share it in the comments section!

Links I Loved This Week

I'm trying out some new features on AFOMFT and this is one of them - a round up of a links to other blog posts I enjoyed this week.

• What I think may be the cutest first birthday invitations EVER!

• Learn how to make your own Anthropologie-inspired Confetti Party Ware.

• What kid wouldn't love to doodle on their own birthday cake?

• Spring is in the air and I want these 3-D Flower Pot Cookies in my tummy!

• I'm so relieved that I'm not the only one to have a Facebook tragedy like this one.

So what do you think?  Should I make Links I Loved This Week a regular feature?  And if you have a post you really enjoyed - from your own blog or another - post a link here.  I love seeing what's catching people's attention!

My Five Favorite Pins This Week

It's that time again!  Here are my five favorite Pinterest pins this week.  (Wondering what Pinterest is? Find out here!)

#1: Why should the fun start inside the playroom?  With this adorable door from Posh Tots (which would also be easy to DIY), even getting into the space will entertain the kids!  {Pin via B via Rhonda Chard-Woodrow from HGTV.com}

#2: With summertime right around the corner, I'm sure a lot of you are breaking out your barbecues and this DIY burger bar is a great way to display the goodies at your next get-together!  {Pin via Amy via Vivien Jordan from Swanky::Chic::Fete}

#3:  Father's Day will be here before you know it, and this tie wreath is the perfect way to celebrate Daddy! {My pin from Be Different, Act Normal}

#4:  This has to be the ultimate chalkboard wall!  {Pin via Lila}

#5:  What can you make with these three simple ingredients?  The world's best bubbles! {Pin via The Domestic Diva via Christi Williams from Under the Sycamore}

#5.5:  I know, I know, this is supposed to be about my five favorite pins but after the world's best bubbles recipe, I couldn't resist including this too!  So simple to make and perfect for your back yard.  {Pin via Thrifty Decor Chick via Nancee Smith from Come Together Kids}

So there you have my Five-and-a-Half Favorite Pins this week.  If you'd like to check out my boards on Pinterest, you can find them HERE.  If you're already on Pinterest, I'd love to follow you so post a comment here with a link to your boards so I can check them out.  And if you're not already a member and need an invite, post your e-mail address and I'll send you one.

Happy Pinning!

New Shoes Are a Girl's Best Friend {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

With all of the April showers we've had here, I've been completely enjoying the May flowers popping up all over, but none more than the adorable blooms adorning the baby shoes from CozyToes by Kathy Dee!

Are those sweet or what?  Each pair is hand crafted from the finest felt and the results are just darling!  I love this orange set - they remind me of Creamsicles.

And these blue Mary Janes just scream summer!

The styles range from sassy:

And buzzy:

To dressy:

And blue.

You can even get booties and have them personalized - the ideal new baby gift!

CozyToes can be made in sizes from 1 (0-3 months) up to 5 (12-18 months) and you can opt to add non-slip soles if your little lady is already walking.  I wish they ran bigger - my girls loved theirs and I was so sad when they finally outgrew them - but the good news is that they got tons of use out of them while they still fit because CozyToes are as durable as they are stylish.

Whether you have a girly girl of your own or one you like to spoil, a pair of CozyToes from Kathydee are absolutely in order.  Because really, you're never too young for a fabulous pair of shoes!

And I've got great news because one lucky AFOMFT reader is going to win a pair of CozyToes!  To enter, visit CozyToes by Kathydee and post a comment here telling me which style you'll choose if you win (this is mandatory). For additional entries:

• Visit CozyToes by Kathydee on Etsy and "heart" the shop
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook 
• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway: #Win a pair of fabulous handmade girl's shoes from CozyToes by Kathydee at @AFOMFT - perfect for Mother's Day! http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here - - to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did. You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post. Comments on Facebook will not count as entries. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends May19th at 11:59 pm EST. The winners will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on May 20th. If the winners fail to contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

If you can't wait to buy a pair of CozyToes. for your kiddo, you're in luck because readers of AFOMFT will receive 10% off all purchases from CozyToes from Kathydee by using code COZYWELCOME at checkout!  The discount does not apply to shipping costs.  Happy shopping!

Images: CozyToes by Kathydee

This Week's Party Peeks

 

There are so many adorable and amazingly creative parties going on these days that I thought it would be fun to feature a few every week.  So without further ado, here are AFOMFT'S PARTY PEEKS OF THE WEEK:

1.  BUGGIE'S VERY CUTE FRUIT STAND 5TH BIRTHDAY

Amy from Buggie & Jellybean threw this super sweet soiree for her daughter and the theme couldn't be any more fun!  Just look at the fun ways she integrated different kinds of fruit:

With watermelon soaps, banana fabric bags, strawberry cookies, cherry lollipops and assorted fruit cocktail crayons, guests were treated to a "feast" of amazing goodies!  See the rest of the fruit-astic details at Buggies & Jellybean.


2.  BROOKS' TRASHY SECOND BIRTHDAY

When the Hostess with the Mostess feature on this party from Annika at Cake Likes a Party showed up in my inbox this morning, I couldn't believe my eyes.  Annika made garbage look great!  Her son, Brooks, is obsessed with trash and trash trucks so she decided to build a party around them, and boy oh boy, did she go above and beyond! 

Decorations were made from recyclables:

And all of the party goers got in on picking up a "mess."

There's more trash-tacular fun where this came from, so be sure to read more about it on Hostess with the Mostess.


3.  LITTLE A'S CEREAL MIXER

I'm a huge fan of Merrilee from mer mag, and this pajama party, which revolved around a cereal bar and Saturday morning cartoons, shows exactly why - it's whimsical and totally one-of-a-kind!  Just look at the invitation:

I mean really - does it get any cuter than that?  Why yes it does!  With a table filled with lots of fun breakfast goodies, ready to be mixed together by little hands.

And eaten with personalized spoons:

On a table topped with fun images to color!

For the cake?  A giant rice krispie treat topped with Trix of course!

And at the end, each guest left with a box of their own custom cereal mix.

Can you take it?  Find out more about this brunch bash over on mer mag.


4.  NOAH'S APRIL SHOWERS BIRTHDAY 

Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line decided to embrace the usually rainy month her son was born in when planning his party this year, and the result was the perfect storm of delightful details!  How fun is the rainbow rain boot table runner?

Umbrellas filled with paper balls and raindrop garlands decorated the space:

And in addition to cloud and boot cookies, the dessert table featured rain puddle cupcakes!

Last but not least, each party guest took home a monogrammed umbrella.

See more of this rainy day fabulousness at Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line.


5.  ROBIN HOOD TAKES THE CAKE

If any party is a bull's eye, it's this one from Tout Mon Amour!  Every little thing tied would be perfectly at home in Sherwood Forest.  From the personalized burlap-wrapped cups:

To the faux-suede favor bags:

And the piece de resistance?  This amazing cake!

There's more of this Robin Hood party to enjoy at Kara's Party Ideas.

So there you have our first AFOMFT PARTY PEEKS OF THE WEEK round up!  Do you have a favorite of the five featured here?  Or if you've thrown a shower, birthday or other party that you'd like to see included here, e-mail pictures and details to afomft@gmail.com.

Images: Buggie & Jellybean, Cake Likes a Party,  mer mag , Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line & Tout Mon Amour

I'm Back!

Sorry I've been MIA lately but we just got back from a family trip to:

Where we watched my brother get his Masters degree from:

And then visited:

It was a fun but hectic week, and with Easter right before and Mother's Day right after, I'm totally behind!  But not to fear - I'll have a post later this week recounting all of the things that worked - and didn't! - on our first plane ride with Gabrielle and Alaina, and a wrap up of my tips on doing Disney with toddlers.

But in the meantime, here's a belated Mother's Day goodie for all of you!  Pear Tree Greetings is offering a five piece personalized stationary set for just $1 shipped! 

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for cute cards so I can't wait to get mine!  The offer is good through May 13th, or while supplies last.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Image: A Proffitable Life